HALIFAX - For the first time ever, the Halifax Forum will host multiple shows as an official Pop Explosion venue this October, including headliners Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan, rapper Danny Brown and BADBADNOTGOOD.

On Tuesday, new executive director James Boyle announced most of the lineup for the Oct. 21-25 festival, saying the team ‚Äúcouldn‚Äôt be more excited‚ÄĚ about presenting one of largest list of performers the Pop Explosion‚Äôs ever had.

‚ÄúWe‚Äôre really excited that we have a proper all-ages venue,‚ÄĚ Boyle said about the Forum after the announcement.

‚Äú[It] is key to all of us, because we want to make sure we‚Äôre doing a lot for the community.‚ÄĚ

Boyle said landing Detroit‚Äôs Danny Brown late Monday evening was ‚Äúa huge win for us,‚ÄĚ and a relief after going back and forth for weeks before confirming the show.

Having Against Me! sign on was also exciting because Boyle said they weren‚Äôt sure whether there would be any time in between touring stops to come to Halifax.

Boyle said a highlight is sure to be the Forum show featuring Toronto‚Äôs jazz trio BADBADNOTGOOD backing Ghostface Killah and Raekwon.

He also said the Operators show will be exciting since the group recently formed from members of Handsome Furs and Wolf Parade, performing their first shows at Canadian Music Week this year so not many people have seen them live.

Since the festival launched in 1993, Boyle said the Pop Explosion is still one of the only events bringing new music to Halifax for the 19 to 35-year-old demographic.

‚ÄúWe‚Äôre the foundation for that music community growing up and coming through and people supporting us, so we‚Äôre really excited,‚ÄĚ Boyle said.

Boyle said a full schedule and more acts will be announced at the end of August.